Firefighter to rescue as Ottawa's emergency goaltender
The Ottawa Senators needed an emergency goaltender Friday after Andrew Hammond suffered a lower body injury in the first period against the Flames in Calgary.
NHL rules mandate that a team has a backup goaltender at all times. Though it's not easy to find one when a game is already underway. So the NHL has an emergency goaltender assigned to games, usually in the press box.
On this evening, it was time for a firefighter to come to the rescue: Todd Ford.
A little background on the 32-year-old Ford: He was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third round (74th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
He also was was signed to a one-year contract for the remainder of the season with the Washington Capitals on Feb. 25, 2011.
Ford retired as a player in 2012 and in 2013 was hired by the Calgary Mustangs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League to serve as their goalie coach.
Ford spoke to the Calgary Herald in January about his role.
You’re still in the game, right?” Ford said. “You still feel like you’re part of hockey, without having it be your job. It’s Canada, right? We all grew up playing hockey.
“This is one way for me to be a part of hockey and still have it in my life.”